October 7, 2005

Hawaiian Airlines launches San Jose-Honolulu nonstop daily service

Do you know the way to San Jose? Hawaiian Airlines does. Last week Hawaiian Airlines launched nonstop daily service between San Jose and Honolulu in traditional island style, complete with Hawaiian music performers, hula dancing, an authentic Hawaiian blessing, and fresh flower lei for departing passengers on the inaugural flight.

Flight crew: Hawaiian Airlines President/CEO Mark Dunkerley (center) with inaugural flight crew and Kahu Richard Kamanu. Photo by Pete Constant

Hawaiian is the only carrier offering nonstop service between San Jose and Hawaii.

San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Mark Dunkerley participated in the inaugural flight ceremony along with several top officials from the airline and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport.

“Direct service to Honolulu will be good for the residents and businesses of San Jose and Silicon Valley,” said Mayor Gonzales. “We’re a major economic center on the Pacific Rim, and Hawaiian’s new service from our airport will strengthen our valuable trade and cultural ties with the entire Pacific region.”

Hawaiian’s Flight 45 will depart Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport daily at 9:40 a.m. local time and arrive at Honolulu International Airport at 11:55 a.m., leaving plenty of time for travelers to conveniently connect to one of Hawaiian’s flights to the Neighbor Islands, or enjoy the rest of the day on Oahu.

The return Flight 44 will depart Honolulu International Airport daily at 1:25 p.m. and arrive at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport at 9:30 p.m.

Dunkerley promised San Jose travelers a flight experience that honors Hawaii’s culture. “We’re providing not just greater travel convenience to Hawaii for the South Bay, but also the uniquely special brand of service that Hawaiian offers.”

San Jose travelers will be treated to Hawaiian’s distinctive “Hawaii Starts Here” in-flight hospitality program, which showcases the culture, music, cuisine, tropical beauty and people of the islands. Essentially, their visit to Hawaii begins once they step aboard. The in-flight hospitality includes complimentary meals designed by award-winning Chef Beverly Gannon of Maui, a co-founder of the renowned “Hawaii Regional Cuisine.”

Hawaiian’s service has been rated as the best of all domestic airlines to Hawaii for the past seven straight years by Travel + Leisure magazine. Travelers will also appreciate Hawaiian’s industry-leading customer service, highlighted by the nation’s best record of on-time performance for the past 21 consecutive months, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Hawaiian will operate the route using its state-of-the-art Boeing 767-300ER wide-body, twin-aisle aircraft that comfortably seats 260 passengers, 18 flying first class and 242 flying coach class.

San Jose is the fifth gateway city that Hawaiian offers daily nonstop service in California, and the ninth city in the Western U.S. overall.